Media Releases

29 May 2025

The Albanese Government’s approval of Woodside’s North West Shelf gas extension until 2070 is a profound betrayal of Australians who voted for genuine climate action.

Labor has delivered on the Coalition’s promise — approving Woodside’s gas extension within 30 days of being elected. This decision locks in a carbon bomb neither Australia nor the climate can afford, undermining any serious commitment to net zero.

At a time when communities are facing worsening climate impacts, this move puts the interests of fossil fuel giants ahead of the public good.

It is a climate betrayal: billions of tonnes of emissions, a disregard for marine life & cultural heritage.

Why I’m opposed to the proposal:

1. A carbon bomb Australia can’t afford

• North West Shelf Gas extension estimated to emit 4.4 billion tonnes of C02
• That’s more than 10 years of Australia’s total emissions
• It directly undermines our net zero and climate commitments

2. Murujuga Rock Art at risk

• Murujuga (Burrup Peninsula) holds 1 million+ petroglyphs, some nearly 50,000 years old
• It’s possible it’s the oldest outdoor art gallery on earth
• Peer reviewed research shows gas pollution is actively degrading the art
• It’s potential for a world heritage listing is under threat because UNESCO warns acidic emissions are eroding the petroglyphs, and recommends rejecting Australia’s World Heritage bid unless emissions are removed

3. Scott Reef Under Threat

• Woodside is predicted to run out of gas to process at the North West Shelf, so to keep the project going it plans to develop the Browse Basin – directly above Scott Reef
• Scott Reef is a pristine coral ecosystem with over 1,500 marine species, many endangered

4. Australians pay, Japan profits

• The government claims this gas is needed to back up renewables, but the reality is most of the gas from this project will be exported overseas, not used in Australia
• Australians face high prices for gas, while our gas props up foreign profits
• For example, in 2024 Japan made over $1b in profit from reselling Australian gas

5. Global reputation at risk

• Extending this gas project signals that Australia is not serious about climate action – and the scope three emissions from this project are huge
• Expanding gas projects contradicts our Paris Agreement commitments and makes a mockery of the commitment to Net Zero by 2050.
• Approving gas until 2070 is out of step with science – emissions must fall close to zero as soon as possible, not continue for decades